For our November dinner, the FDPs decided it was time for some warm, soothing, comforting winter food, and a night in. Since Amanda was in full study mode for her big wine and chemistry test, we thought it would be a great idea to have dinner and help her study. Our quest for warmth and heartiness brought us to Pho 75 in Arlington. Pho 75 is fairly non-descript with long tables and chairs set up in the middle of the floor, stark walls and a bare floor. The menu lists several Pho options including different meat selections, and 2 bowl sizes; regular or large (and FYI, the regular was enough for most of us to have leftovers!) Traditionally, Pho consists of a lovely salty beef broth full of rice noodles, and comes with the diner’s selection of meat cuts such as skirt steak, brisket, tripe and eye-of-round. Each bowl also comes complete with an add-on kit. This kit includes mung bean sprouts, Thai basil, scallions, jalapeños, hot chili sauce, a milder plum/soy sauce, and of course, limes. Diners customize their warm bowls by adding as much or as little of the add-ons as they want. The Pho is consumed with a big spoon and chopsticks to manage the noodles and lovely cuts of beef.
After making our selections; Molly and Kate choosing flank steak, Amanda and Melissa choosing brisket, we waited for several minutes while they prepared our takeout bowls. Both Kate and Molly ordered theirs without the jalapeños, but there seemed to be some communication issues and they received the hot peppers anyway. Oh well! After getting our warm plastic containers of broth and noodles and plastic bags of add-ons, we piled back into cars and headed to Kate’s for an evening of chatting, wine knowledge and warm delicious Pho. We slurped our way through regular piggy conversations, and took lots of photos of our delicious bowls. Though Molly had to leave early for another event (she’s the FDP who overbooked herself…..boooo Molly!!) she was there long enough to ask Amanda difficult review questions and be awed by the wine and chemistry knowledge of her academic FDP. The bowls of Pho satisfied our November cravings and overall we rate Pho 75 3 oinks!
